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Come Party With Me: Tea Party - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 06:58:32 -0700

Spring has sprung! Well almost - the official first day is this Wednesday, but the weather has been so amazing here in California that it feels like it has already arrived. To celebrate, I'm hosting a tea party this weekend. This isn't going to be stuffy ladies in pastel suits at a formal table with antique china, it's going to be modern, fun, and fabulous. My fingers are crossed that the warm weather will last until Saturday so I can host the tea in my courtyard. I want everything about the party to scream spring, starting with the invitation. The invitation is an integral and essential tone setter for the party, so it should reflect the arrival of spring in the design and color scheme. To see the tea party invite I've made - that you can make too if you follow my step by step instructions - please read more

This week's invite is simple and most of the work is done on the computer, so if you are a geek diva rather than a craftista, it's your lucky day! To start, I searched the web for some interesting floral images. The ones I used to create my invite can be downloaded from floral patterns (scroll down to the bottom and hit download). There are a whole bunch of patterns to choose from and I chose 16 that were sort of in the same color tones: pale pinks, light lavenders, and buttery creams. To assemble the invite you will need:

computer and printer
floral pattern images like these:
colored cardstock (I chose cream)
scissors
glue
ribbon

To make this invite:

Create a new word document and drag the floral print images into it. Create a border or pattern with the prints. I created a border.
Add a textbox to be inside the floral border. Inside the box, write the details of your party, something along these lines:

Spring Has Sprung!

To celebrate the long awaited arrival of the sunny season, Miss PartySugar would like you to join her for tea and afternoon cravings.

Saturday, March 24, 2007
PartySugar’s cottage, San Francisco
3:30 pm

Please rsvp 415.555.5555 Floral attire welcomed

Choose a fancy text that makes you think tea party. I chose Snell Roundhand in size 16 bold. If desired change the color of the font to match your floral prints. I picked periwinkle. Print out a test sheet on a white piece of paper to see if you like the results. Once you are satisfied, print out on the cardstock.

Cut down to size leaving a small border around the flowers.

For an element of surprise, use the ribbon to make the back look like a wrapped present. When you send the invite place the card in the envelope so when the invitee opens it, the first thing she sees is the "present." Cut the ribbon to size and glue horizontally across the blank side of the card.

Glue another piece vertically crossing this piece.

With another piece of ribbon, tie a small pretty bow. Glue this to the center where the two ribbons cross each other.

Now your invitation is complete. One side looks like a spring present and the other side looks like a tea party invite.

How would you invite your friends to a tea party? Tell me your invite ideas below. I'll be planning the pieces to the tea party puzzle all week, so be sure to come party with me tomorrow!

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Tea Party: Invitations

babysugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you're on board with the tea party theme, you might want to check out these simple and creative invitations that I crafted with supplies from my favorite paperie, Paper Source.

To see how to make them, read more.

I'm throwing this party for a friend who decorated her nursery in Tiffany blue, citrus orange, and brown. The couple doesn't know the baby's sex so I also wanted to be gender neutral with the invites.

What I need to buy:

5 1/2" orange square cards.
5" white square cards.
5 3/4" turquoise square envelopes. (note postage is $0.50 for square envelopes.)
Brown grosgrain ribbon with white pattern.
Brown pen for labeling.
Standard hole punch (matching the width of your ribbon.)
Decorative hole punch.
Double–stick tape.
Scissors.

Now it's time to get down to business.

First, decide on the text you want to put on the invitation. You might want to print a sample out on regular computer paper first to make sure there are no mistakes and so you don't waste the pretty (and more expensive) card stock. Once perfected, print out all of your invitations on the printer.
Next, place double–stick tape on the back of the invitation and firmly press it onto the center of the orange squares.
Mark two dots where you want to center your ribbon (about an inch apart) and punch holes on the marks.
Take your ribbon and cut it into 5" long pieces. Thread the ribbon through the holes from front to back so the ends are on the backside. Next, pull the ends through the opposite holes and tighten the slack. Cut the edges of the ribbon at an angle to give it a finished touch and to keep it from unraveling.
Use the decorative hole punch (a heart in my case) and punch a hole in the bottom right hand corner of your envelope.
Place the invitation in the envelope, address, stamp, and toss in the mail!

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Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:50:09 -0700

Think pumpkin-patch-chic when staging the decor for a pumpkin carving party. Place a wheelbarrow next to the front door, fill it with pumpkins, and when guests arrive, ask them to pick one. For a rustic feel, throw some hay in with the pumpkins. Inside the house, set up carving stations: cover tables and counters with old newspapers, carving tools, and place lots of garbage bags nearby. Leave the chili in a big pot on the stove and stack black bowls next to it. Fill jack-o'-lantern bowls with chili toppings and candy. Display the pumpkin cake on a black cake stand and invite guests to put their beer in an oversize ice bucket. A single bouquet of Fall flowers is festively elegant. Don't forget to stock up on tea lights. Once everyone is done carving their pumpkins, place a tea light in each one and set them outside on the porch.

Tea Party Invitations

babysugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:17:54 -0700

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Yellow Tea Bus: Cost-Conscience End of Year Teacher Gift

LilSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:00:16 -0700

We all know the drill - the bell rings on the last day of school and students line their teachers' desks with boxes of candy, coffee gift cards and glass apples. But when economic times are tough and families need to stick to budgets, a creative thank-you is a nice concept that will evoke the year's memories.

Inspired by Maum's school bus tea bags, we asked our favorite lil ones to help make a yellow bus filled with tea bags adorned with each member of the class's picture. It costs just dollars to create and will invite the teacher to kick back and relax with a soothing cup once the last kiddo has cleared out his desk.

To see how to create the moving tea box, read more.

Supplies for Project:

Small box of tea bags
Scissors
Yellow construction paper
Glue
Crayons
Photos of child's classmates
Cardboard box

Directions:

Cut little "people" out of the cardboard, ensuring their "arms" are the length of the width of the box and that their "bodies" are narrower.
Closely cut out the faces of your child's classmates and attach them to the "head" of the cardboard bodies with some glue.
Cover the box in yellow construction paper and decorate it to look like a school bus - get as fancy as you wish even calling the bus line "Ms. Bruin's First Grade Class."
Cut slits in the top of the box.
Drop the "bodies" into the slits, ensuring that the "arms" stay on top of the bus, which the bodies drop down.
Attach tea bags to the bodies.
Close the box.

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Multiples Baby Shower: Food and Beverages

babysugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:30:09 -0700

Last, but certainly not least, we wind up our April baby shower coverage with the doubly expectant mother. Due with numerous children, she's also due to be spoiled rotten before their debut. We've sent out the invitations and fancied the surroundings with aviary accessories. Now it's time to set a menu for the soirée. While making the grocery list, take the number of guests into account and consider the time of the event. For this afternoon fete, I'll be serving light fare and simple drinks to please the masses.

To see the full menu and pictures of the spread, just read more.

Food: In keeping with the bird theme, deviled eggs will complement the décor while pleasing the taste buds. Lunching ladies who like to keep things light will delight in the grassy looking tossed Chinese chicken salad. Fill some glasses with cheese sprinkled bread sticks for guests to nibble on while chatting. Satisfy attending sweet toothed gals with pastel cupcakes topped with wee nests of toasted coconut and jelly beans.

Drinks: Since the guest list is extensive, we'll keep the beverage list to a minimum. Most everyone enjoys a glass of lemonade or iced tea. Set out pitchers of both allowing guests to create an Arnold Palmer should it suit their fancy. Bottles of sparkling water are always appreciated at a baby shower as there are typically other pregnant or nursing ladies present.

Don't forget to enter our fabulous April Showers Giveaway for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and/or necessities for your child at Pottery Barn Kids! And, check out the baby shower invitations we've created exclusively for pingg! pingg allows you to email invites to a guest list or print and mail, and send reminders via SMS, online, Facebook, Twitter and more!

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Come Party With Me: Bridal Brunch - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:30:58 -0700

Brunch is an ideal time to throw a bridal shower. The female-only event is normally hosted by a nonfamily member or the maid of honor. If you're invited to a bridal shower, it's customary to bring a gift. Often the shower will have a gift theme (like all kitchen gear, lingerie, etc.) and games. For Ronda's bridal brunch, we're keeping things simple and sophisticated with a smorgasbord of delicious breakfast foods. After the main course has been devoured, guests can enjoy coffee or tea with a scrumptious cherry breakfast cake. To look at the easy make-ahead recipe that would be welcome on any Mother's Day menu, read more.

Cherry Breakfast Cake
From Everyday with Rachael Ray

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
Two 10-ounce bags frozen cherries, thawed and drained

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, using your fingers, combine 3 cups flour, the brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix in all but 2 tablespoons butter until large crumbs form; set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the egg and the buttermilk.
In a medium bowl, stir together the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, the granulated sugar, baking powder and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the egg mixture and stir to form a thick, smooth batter.
Fold about a third of the reserved crumb mixture into the batter; spread evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Scatter the cherries over the batter; sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top. Bake the cake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool for about 20 minutes before serving.

Serves 8-12.

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Multiples Baby Shower: Games!

babysugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:30:24 -0700

For lilsugar's last week of extensive baby shower coverage, we're celebrating the birth of multiples! While twosomes seem to be more normal these days, celebrating their arrival should be anything but common.

The invited guests are happily fed and enjoying the lovely décor while sipping away on their iced teas. Gather the crew into the main room to play a round of games before opening the gifts for the mama-to-be. Download our multiple mania game that will have guests guessing at birth stats, names and other fun baby details. Though nobody will be announced a winner on the spot, everyone will have a laugh during the activity.

Don't forget to enter our fabulous April Showers Giveaway for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and/or necessities for your child at Pottery Barn Kids!

Come Party With Me: Tea Party - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:58:32 -0700

It's tea time! This week I'm planning an afternoon tea party. On Monday I sent out beautiful floral invitations to my girlfriends and yesterday I put together a menu full of scones, tea sandwiches, and shortbread cookies. Now it's on to the drinks, the tea of the tea party. Start by picking out which teas you will offer your guests. You could make several pots of the same kind, or a few different kinds. I am a fan of options and will brew a couple different kinds of tea. At all of my parties I like to offer an alcoholic beverage, so for those who are in the mood for an afternoon aperitif, I'll shake up a green tea martini. For my tips on brewing the perfect cup of tea and the recipe for the mar-tea-ni, read more

In honor of the tea party that I am planning this week, I thought it was necessary to go over a few basic suggestions for brewing a warm, wet, wonderful cup of tea.

To ensure freshness, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark space.

A good cup of tea is only as good as the water used, so choose fresh, flowing, cool, bottled/filtered water.
Take care when measuring out the tea because the tea's strength and flavor depends on the quantity of tea in the pot and the amount of steeping time.
Generally one bag or 1 teaspoon of leaves is considered a 1 person serving.
Do not overboil the water because once it begins to lose oxygen, the flavor of the tea will weaken.
The most important step of tea making is the correct brewing time. Brew for too long and the tea will taste bitter, brew for too little and the tea won't have maximum flavor.

Tea Brewing Time Chart
Tea Type Steep Time (in minutes)

black tea 3-5

herbal tea 5-10

green tea 1-3
Wrap the teapot with a towel or cozy to retain heat while steeping.
Strain tea leaves or remove tea bags before pouring into a cup and enjoying.
Milk dissolves the best into hot tea so plan accordingly.
Do not leave tea uncovered for a long period of time after brewing - drink or refrigerate to retain antioxidants and prevent bacteria from growing.
For the best tea, fill a teapot with hot tap water to warm it up; likewise warm up your teacups in a cup warmer or with hot tap water.

**Tea Brewing Time Chart**
Tea Type	Steep Time (in minutes)
black tea	3-5
herbal tea	5-10
green tea	1-3

Green Tea Martini
From That's The Spirit

Ice
1 ounce green tea, chilled
2 ounces citron vodka
1 teaspoon Cointreau
1 teaspoon simple syrup
Orange twist

Fill a shaker with ice. Add green tea, vodka, Cointreau and simple syrup.
Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with an orange twist.

Makes 1 cocktail.

Print recipe with images | without images

What are your secret tips for brewing the best cup of tea around? Please share them with us below. Next up on the party plan to-do-list: the look.

Sip and See Baby Shower: Food and Beverage

LilSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0700

We’re continuing to celebrate mamas-to-be this month with our extensive baby shower planning guides. This week, we fete the mama and newborn who were not ready to be the centers of attention before the birth with a sip and see shower. We've created our guest list and downloaded free invites, and decorated our space so, now its time to map out a little sustenance for our guests. Keeping the theme and guest list in mind, we've created a menu that involves a lot of sipping throughout the shower.

Open houses tend to run for long periods of time with guests coming and going so serving a hot meal isn't really an option. Instead, opt for food that is easy to eat while standing or while balancing a plate on your lap.

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To see our entire menu, read more.

Spread: Serve a "make-your-own" caesar salad, with a platter of grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon available for a more filling main dish. A large bowl of chilled gazpacho can be self-ladled into accompanying mugs to help bring the "sip" concept to the buffet bar.
Drinks: Given that very concept, offer guests a wide variety of beverages. For non-alcoholic drinks, consider Jones Soda Company's colorful and fun flavors that complement the shower's blue and orange color scheme. Their blue bubblegum and orange and cream flavors look great on the table. Be sure to have some coffee and tea available for those arriving later in the day. For those looking for a little more punch in their cup, offer up white wine and champagne in some beautiful glasses.
Treats: Continue to celebrate the guest of honor with a selection of sweets featuring the lil one's monogram. From petit fours and mini cupcakes decorated in the blue and orange color theme to mugs filled with pudding and fruit.

Don't forget to enter our fabulous April Showers Giveaway for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and/or necessities for your child at Pottery Barn Kids!